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Watford to spend £500,000 on improving London Colney training pitches

The Hornets are set to spend around £500,000 on creating two ‘stadium-quality’ pitches at their training ground, the Watford Observer understands.

The Hornets already have impressive facilities at their London Colney base, which is owned by University College London and used to be occupied by Arsenal.

At times in recent years the Golden Boys have used neighbouring Arsenal’s facilities when bad weather has caused pitches to be affected.

So the club have decided to install two training pitches which will have improved drainage and will, it is hoped, mirror the quality of the surface at Vicarage Road.

We believe the work will be factored into next year’s budget so additional investment will not be required.

The Golden Boys agreed a ten-year lease with UCL in July and in the past have considered building a nine-a-side indoor pitch and medical centre.

In late July, after the new agreement for the Bell Lane site was announced, Hornets’ chief executive Scott Duxbury said: “Securing our use of the London Colney training ground for another decade is a clear indication of our intention to work closely with UCL to develop a first-class facility to benefit Watford Football Club in the long-term.

“The length of the lease agreement is testament to the strong working relationship between ourselves and UCL. Now we can start finalising some of the plans we’ve already made for developments.”

Watford are also set to extend the East Stand by another 800 seats. Read more here.

Read Frank Smith's comment on why he believes Watford are heading in the right direction here.

Comments

This club is truly on the up. When we eventually get promoted to the Premiership this time we will stay there. U 'orns!

This club is truly on the up. When we eventually get promoted to the Premiership this time we will stay there. U 'orns!tgb1963

This club is truly on the up. When we eventually get promoted to the Premiership this time we will stay there. U 'orns!

Score: 27

29April1975WasBottom
2:18pm Fri 14 Mar 14

Hopefully will put pay to those doubting the Pozzos' long term intent to build a sustainable top tier outfit COYH

Hopefully will put pay to those doubting the Pozzos' long term intent to build a sustainable top tier outfit COYH29April1975WasBottom

Hopefully will put pay to those doubting the Pozzos' long term intent to build a sustainable top tier outfit COYH

Score: 35

only5foot3
8:23pm Fri 14 Mar 14

Far cry from days gone by when bassini wouldnt pay 500k for the upgrade of pitch.

Far cry from days gone by when bassini wouldnt pay 500k for the upgrade of pitch.only5foot3

Far cry from days gone by when bassini wouldnt pay 500k for the upgrade of pitch.

Score: 6

Stoney77
10:44pm Fri 14 Mar 14

29April1975WasBottom wrote…

Hopefully will put pay to those doubting the Pozzos' long term intent to build a sustainable top tier outfit COYH

Well said. I'm slightly dismayed by the number of people doubting the Pozzos recently. .....Insinuating that they really must pull their finger out etc etc.
They saved us from oblivion IMO. We've had a poor season compared to our expectations, yes. It's been ridiculously fricking frustrating - but let's not start on the Pozzos. Sure, they have much to learn and perhaps the Udinese loan system isn't the long term answer but jesus they nearly pulled it off like some sort of messiah last season, and look what that's done to us as fans - given us expectation and made us demand success. None of us were complaining last year. Who's to say a similar policy next year won't work?
It hasn't happened for many a reason this year but let's not start criticising our owners. Supporting our club is not just about short term success.... I want my Future kids to grow up with a yellow army to support. We will have good times ahead and we will have frustrating times ahead. We do not always have to find someone, or something, to blame. Some times it just doesn't flipping happen.

[quote][p][bold]29April1975WasBottom[/bold] wrote:
Hopefully will put pay to those doubting the Pozzos' long term intent to build a sustainable top tier outfit COYH[/p][/quote]Well said. I'm slightly dismayed by the number of people doubting the Pozzos recently. .....Insinuating that they really must pull their finger out etc etc.
They saved us from oblivion IMO. We've had a poor season compared to our expectations, yes. It's been ridiculously fricking frustrating - but let's not start on the Pozzos. Sure, they have much to learn and perhaps the Udinese loan system isn't the long term answer but jesus they nearly pulled it off like some sort of messiah last season, and look what that's done to us as fans - given us expectation and made us demand success. None of us were complaining last year. Who's to say a similar policy next year won't work?
It hasn't happened for many a reason this year but let's not start criticising our owners. Supporting our club is not just about short term success.... I want my Future kids to grow up with a yellow army to support. We will have good times ahead and we will have frustrating times ahead. We do not always have to find someone, or something, to blame. Some times it just doesn't flipping happen.
Enjoy tomorrow, the sun will be out, let's get behind our Golden Boys. COYHStoney77

29April1975WasBottom wrote…

Hopefully will put pay to those doubting the Pozzos' long term intent to build a sustainable top tier outfit COYH

Well said. I'm slightly dismayed by the number of people doubting the Pozzos recently. .....Insinuating that they really must pull their finger out etc etc.
They saved us from oblivion IMO. We've had a poor season compared to our expectations, yes. It's been ridiculously fricking frustrating - but let's not start on the Pozzos. Sure, they have much to learn and perhaps the Udinese loan system isn't the long term answer but jesus they nearly pulled it off like some sort of messiah last season, and look what that's done to us as fans - given us expectation and made us demand success. None of us were complaining last year. Who's to say a similar policy next year won't work?
It hasn't happened for many a reason this year but let's not start criticising our owners. Supporting our club is not just about short term success.... I want my Future kids to grow up with a yellow army to support. We will have good times ahead and we will have frustrating times ahead. We do not always have to find someone, or something, to blame. Some times it just doesn't flipping happen.

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